Let's talk about the customer for this post.

1)
If you can't afford to tip between 18-20% for service than don't eat
out or go to a fast food place where you can throw that dime in the jar!

2)
There is no excuse for not tipping--is the service bad? Why are you
putting up with it? Go to the host/hostess/manager/owner and ask for
another server if you are not getting the service you feel you should be
getting. Don't sit there, shake your head, moan and groan, then either
leave a small tip or no tip.

3)
Please remember it is not the server's fault if the food is bad. Yes
some times hot food can be served cold and in some cases it can be the
server's fault as they were busy and left the food standing too long.
Call them over, politely explain the problem and ask them to have it
heated up.

4) I would never send food back WITHOUT ordering something else instead--just take my word for it!

5)
In some, well most, cases the server will have to call over the manager
as they are limited in what they can do regarding the return of food so
be prepared for that.

6)
When a server comes to the table and wants to know how everything is
that is the time to complain if you have any complaints, not after you
have eaten everything and mumble it wasn't that good. Again, remember taht the server doesn't cook the food so don't 'punish' him/her if something doesn't taste good.

7)
Along those lines if a server does some table side 'cooking'--making
guacamole at the table or tossing a Ceaser salad, debones a fish, etc., I
know, if it is good, I will leave a little somethign extra.

8) By the way one way to get good service is to start off by acknowledging the server's "Good evening", "Hi", "How are you folks tonight?", etc.Be rude and see the service you get!

9)
In the 21st Century it is important to tell you GET OFF YOUR CELL PHONE
in a restaurant, especially when the server is waiting to take your
order for anything. Again be rude and don't expect the attentive service
you would like as you don't deserve it!

10)
One thing I have done many times and have gotten super service--I let
the server order for me!! At first they are startled but remember they
know what is good and what isn't and which cook in the kitchen makes the
same dish better than another cook. No, not if they are smart, will a
server 'push' the special of the day if it isn't good or just,
automatically, give you the highest priced items. They are out to make
money by getting bigger tips and they get that by making you happy!

11)
Along these lines if your darling brat throws/spills something on the
floor and a bus person has to clean it up tip them a couple of bucks.
When a waiter cuts your kid's steak or pays extra attention to him/her
tip them extra

12) By the way if a server gives you something 'extra' that
they should charge you for but don't please, as happened to me, don't
tell the boss how sweet your server was by giving you that a la mode ice
cream with your cake and not charging you for it! Yes it has happened
to me! LOL

13)
One of the best ways to get GREAT service if you go to a restaurant a
few times be sure to ask for the same server the next time you go in. As
most of you know Allen and I have been eating lunch at the Cafe Vico every Thursday for the past 3 months abd when we walk in, before we even get to our table sometimes, the busboy
gets the hot rolls and garlic dip along with the coffee and iced tea we
drink. I do not hesitate to throw the busboy and extra $5 every now and
then.

14)
Also if you are a regular at a restaurant take care of them at
Christmas time- yes the wiater and busboy but if the host/hostess calls
you by name or acknowledges you when you come in or the bartendar has
your drink ready as you sit down a little holiday envelope would be
appropriate and appreciated.

15)
This should be common sense but too many times you will hear "...but I
tipped on the check amount." If you have a coupon, are the restaurant is
offering 2-4-1 deals or you have become familiar with groupon tip on what the TOTAL check would have been before the deduction.

16)
Though it is proper it raelly makes you look cheap figuring out what
20% would be before tax!! Come on, in Florida tax is 6% which means on a
$100 check it is $6 which means we are talking about an extra 90
cents--if you can afford $100 for a dinner you can afford to be a sport
for 90 cents. By the way 20% is not that hard to figure out--you don't
need to bring out your calculator!!

17)
Talking about checks--something all customers should do is check the
check to be sure you are not overcharged (or undercharged) or the server
forgot to put an item on the menu. Even with computers many check
mistakes happen. Also, and this bugs me, some places will put an
automatic tip on the check and the server should tell you if this is the case. You can always leave more!

18)
This is a touchy subject but certain people are known to be bad tippers
and in most cases it is true. The earlybird customer is getting a
bargain on their dinners but they still tip 10% or don't bother to
figure out what it would have cost at regular prices. At a discount or
regular price the server is bringing you your food, tip accordingly.

19)I
won't get into the lawyer, doctor, pipe smoker, friend of the boss,
restaurant owner being the worst tippers or which ethnic groups or which
genders, etc. are the worst tippers but, yes, some people are targeted
for less than great service because the server has been 'burned' too
many times. I am going to be politically correct in NOT naming the worst
tippers but I will tell you, in most cases, males from New York City
are the best tippers--they have been trained by the New York servers!! LOL

20) As the customer please remember you are the boss and whether you enjoy the restaurant and meal is in your hands!